When traveling outside of the continental United States, travelers should consider what, if any, health risks might be associated with the destination intended.

For travelers headed to the Caribbean Islands, precaution should be given to protect the skin from mosquito bites, as some mosquitoes in the Caribbean are carriers of dengue and chikungunya.

Chikungunya is an illness caused by a virus that spreads through mosquito bites. The most common symptom of chikungunya are fever and joint pain. Other symptoms may include headache, muscle pain, joint swelling, or rash. Chikungunya disease rarely results in death, but the symptoms can be severe and disabling. Most people who get sick feel better within a week. In some people, the joint pain may last for months or years.

Dengue is an illness caused by a virus that is spread through mosquito bites. Symptoms include fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, rash, and pain in the eyes, joints, and muscles. After you are bitten by an infected mosquito, symptoms can take up to 2 weeks to develop but usually end in a week. In severe cases, symptoms may include intense stomach pain, repeated vomiting, bleeding from the nose or gums, and death.

Now, I know this sounds alarming, but many hundreds of thousands of folks travel to the Caribbean Islands and experience none of these problems.  We’re telling you this so that you might be aware, and use a dose of prevention.

For more information, use the following links from the CDC:

• Dengue
• Chikungunya

Again, don’t get all paranoid that you’re going to contract some exotic disease.  Bring some bug spray with you, and go have fun!  Deal?

 
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